Brussels Griffon Breed Facts and Information

Coat & Grooming: The Brussels Griffon comes in two varieties, smooth or rough coated. The smooth-coated version requires weekly brushing, and daily brushing can help keep shedding at bay during the spring and fall shedding seasons. Rough-coated versions of the breed shed less than smooth-coated ones, but their rough coat still requires stripping several times a year.

Coat length: Short

Grooming: Occasional

Shedding: While smooth-coated Brussels Griffons shed a minimal to average amount, rough-coated Griffons shed a bit less, says Robbins. “Rough coats, like a terrier, need to be stripped several times a year to maintain color and texture,” she adds. “Otherwise, they can be clipped, but the coat becomes softer and lighter in color.”

Training: While this breed is highly intelligent and loves to spend time with its people, it can also be stubborn, bossy and sensitive. As such, it’s important to be patient and understanding when undertaking training. As with most breeds, the earlier you can start, the better.

Barking: Understanding your dog: The Brussels Griffon can be barky at times, especially when they feel they aren’t receiving the attention they deserve or when they’re around new people.

Temperament & Behavior: There’s a lot to learn about a Brussels Griffon before taking one home. This funny and quirky dog makes a great companion for people who have the patience to train them and the time to spend exercising and loving them. Because of their neediness, they don’t make the best fit for families with young kids, although they can get along fine with other animals as long as they have been properly socialized. “Griffons are true Velcro dogs,” says Robbins. “You may never be in the bathroom alone again.”

Behavior with kids: Although they possess many character traits that would make them a good mate for kids, the Brussels Griffon actually prefers to be the center of attention. As a result, they aren’t a big fan of being rough-housed with, so a household with young kids wouldn’t make the best match.

Protection: While their diminutive size isn’t going to scare anyone away, the breed is cautious of strangers and can be quite noisy. They are great at letting you know when someone new is around.

Life Span: On average, the Brussels Griffon lives to be between 12 and 15 years

Inherited health issues: Several conditions have been identified as occurring at an increased frequency in Brussels Griffons. Responsible breeders perform a variety of screening tests prior to breeding in an attempt to decrease the incidence of many medical conditions within the breed. These conditions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Chiari-like malformation with syringomyelia, Cataracts, Persistent hyaloid artery and Vitreous degeneration.

Preventive care: The Brussels Griffon is generally a healthy breed, yet as with all dogs, certain health conditions can arise. A Chiari-like malformation occurs when portions of brain material extend towards the spinal cord due to a relatively small skull opening. Clinical signs can lead to obsessive scratching of the shoulders, neck pain or paresis of all four limbs. This condition can be diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). As with all dogs, it is important to maintain routine exams with a veterinarian so that any new or subtle changes can be detected before they become more significant.

Nutrition: With proper diet and exercise, it is generally not too difficult to keep a Brussels Griffon in good body condition. Avoid offering table scraps or excessive quantities of treats, as these goodies can quickly pack on the pounds. Instead, feed portion-controlled meals of a high quality, balanced diet to keep your Brussels Griffon in peak condition.

Daily Consumption: A Brussels Griffon will eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup of dry food per day

Energy Level: Frisky, energetic breed that is always ready for action

Exercise: This small breed is high on energy, and they require at least 30 minutes of activity every day to stay happy and healthy. In addition, the Brussels Griffon can easily find a way to dig under or jump over most outdoor fences, so always be sure to supervise your dog when you’re outdoors. Proper exercise will also keep your Brussels Griffon from getting into trouble. This breed has been known to knock over trash cans, bark excessively or cause other disturbances when they aren’t happy. “Brussels Griffons do very well in agility,” says Robbins. “Obedience, however, is more of a challenge.”

Climate: The Brussels Griffon’s short snout makes them sensitive to high temperatures and heatstroke.

Living space: Although they’re full of spunk, the highly-entertaining Brussels Griffon comes in a tiny package and doesn’t need a large living space. That said, if you have an outdoor area, it needs to be fenced in, as the Brussels Griffon is known for being a bit of an escape artist.